Improvement



A. H. CALKINS.

I l improvement in Washing Machines.

Patented (het` 17221871.

ANo. H9,9v65'.

PATENT GEErcE.l

ALMON H. CALKINS, OF LINEVILLE, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT iN WASHNG-MACHNES.

Speciiication forming part of Letters PatentvNo. 119,965, dated October17, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALMoiy H. CALKINS, of Lineville, in the county ofWayne and State of Indiana, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Wasl1ing'-l\/Iachines, of which the following is aspeciiication:

My invention has reference to that cla-ss of washing-machines whichpasses the clothes between rollers; and consists of one large centralcorrugated roller actuated by a crank, and a series of small smooth orspiral rollers connected together and made to flt around and press uponthe larger roller by the action of springs, as here- Y inafterdescribed.

In the drawing, Figure I is an elevation of my improved washing-machineattached to a tub shown iu section. Fig. II is a vertical cross-sectionof the device in plane of line a: m. Fig. III is a similar view in planeof line y y. Figs. IV and V, respectively, perspective elevations of thesocket pieces for securing the washer to the tub.

A is a frame-work, consisting of a base piece, a, and two upright sidepieces al, attached to the said base piece. In and. between the sidepieces al is hung a large ribbed or corrugated roller, B, upon an axle,b, which latter is furnished at one end with a crank, b1, having ahandle, b2. The axle b is let into the side pieces al by two slots, b3,which are furnished with a metallic lining, b4. c c c is a series ofsmall smooth rollers placed in a frame, D, said frame being divided intotwo parts on each end, and

hinged together by the joint d, Fig. III, the

whole forming a kind of jacket, C, fitting upon the roller B. The roddi, which forms the joint, by passing through a part of each of the endpieces d2 d3, is extended through the center of one of the rollers c,and beyond the frame D, into the slots b3, by which arrangement anylateral movement of the central part of the jacket C is prevented. Twospiral springs, E, are secured to the base piece a, near to the uprightsa1, by means of keys c, and the upper part of each is provided with aloop or ring through which passes a wire or rod, F, either end of whichis attached at the points ff1 to the outer ends of the pieces d2 cl3,respectively. G and H are two socket pieces, which are fastened toopposite sides within the tub I by hooks g h,l and serve the purpose ofsupporting the frame A,

one end of the base piece a being inserted in the socket G, and theother in H, and held securely by turning the button a3 into the slot hl.JJ are two rollers placed below the center of the large roller B toprevent the clothes from winding around the said roller, or from lodgingon the base piece a.

The operation of the inventionV is as follows: rlhe respective parts ofthe device having been properly put together it is secured in the tub Iby inserting the base-board a in the socket pieces G H, as justdescribed. The large roller B being put in motion by turning the crankb1 the clothes to be washed, having been previously saturated with waterand soap, are presented to the said roller, or between the roller B andthe jacketof rollers C. The rotary motion of the larger roller carriesthe clothes around with it under pressure of the rollers c c. Theselatter bear upon the clothes with a force equal to the elasticresistance of the springs E, and as'these springs can be made of anydegree of stiffness, any desired amount of compressive power can bebrought to bear upon the series of small rollers. After the clothes havebeen carried nearly through between the rollers c c and B, the motion ofthe crank b1 can be reversed, and they will thus be carried back and thewashing or compressing process repeated. This operation of the forwardand backward movement may be continued with each garment or charge,7until it is sufliciently washed, when the revolution of the crank iscontinued in one direction till the clothes are carried out entirelyclear of the rollers. Another charge may then be inserted, as before,and the same operation repeated. The rolls I I prevent any delay ordamage by reason of the artiples winding about the roller B, or catchingupon the base a. The metallic lining b4 secures the slots-b3 from unduewear by the axle b or rod d. The hinge l permits a lateral extension ofone or both ends of the jacket C, while the pressure is still continuedon the center, thus making the compression uniform over the whole seriesof rollers.

When the central roller is made unusually large,

ers above rather than below the large central roller, a greater numberof small rollers'can be employed, thereby increasing the efficiency ofthe machine. The arrangement of the springs E is such that inconjunction with the rods F and joints d, they secure both a verticaland a lateral pressure to the series of rollers c c. All the Workingparts of the machine are easily detached one from another, so that ifany part becomes Worn or accidentally injured it is easily replaced. Theprincipal claim made for the machine is its superior efficiency, and thenext, that of convenience in use. To these may be added its small costand simplicity of construction.

secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The construction of the hingefranie D with its connecting-rod F tocontract or expand it,

spring E, and base a of ame A, as shown and described.

2. The construction and application of the journal rod d1, extendedthrough roller C and through slots b3 of the uprights A A, serving as aholder and guide, in combination With the rollers c c o and B, as shownand described.

3. In combination With the devices claimed in the first and secondclaims, the devices G H, arranged and operating in connection With thehooks g h, tub I, shaft b, crank b1, and handle b2.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing` Witnesses.

Witnesses C. C. PEcK,

